Friday, November 18, 2016

An interview with Roxanne Rustand...

Today, we have an interview with author Roxanne Rustand, who writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense. She'll be giving away an e-copy of her new book, An Aspen Creek Christmas, in a drawing from the names of those leaving a comment on the blog

If you had to describe
yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

I‘d
say that I’m a devoted wife and mom, whose dreams came true when I sold my
first book back in 1998.

What do you do when
you’re not writing? Any interesting hobbies?

We
live in the country on ten acres, where I have three horses. I also love to
cook and collect cookbooks, enjoy photography and travel, and especially enjoy
time with family.

What was your favorite
book as a teen or child?

As
a child, the Black Stallion series. As a teen, Mistress of Mellyn and Nine
Coaches Waiting.

Tell us three things about
yourself that might surprise your readers.

I
started out writing secular fiction for Superromance, Heartwarming and
Everlasting, but switched to inspirational fiction as of 2007 and really love
where I’m at right now.My switch to
inspirational fiction is thanks to encouragement and advice by a dear friend,
Lyn Cote, and I thank her every day for her help back then!

Second,
I left college for a while and rode as a demonstration rider for Monte Forman, a
traveling horse trainer who put on horse training clinics in various towns
across the USA. He was the first person to do this sort of thing, and he was
amazing.What an adventure that
was!I then returned to college, and
finished a master’s degree in nutrition.

Third,
I worked as a registered dietitian for a residential psychiatric facility for
ten years. The staff was wonderful, every day was fascinating, and not a day
went by without at least one resident warbling the first words of Roxanne
to me—the song by the Police.If only
that song wasn’t about a woman of the night!J

What genre did you start
out writing? Have you changed course? Why or why not?

I
started with romantic suspense for Harlequin Superromance. When I switched to
writing inspirationals, I continued in that vein for Love Inspired Suspense,
but have evolved into romance instead. I love both worlds—but initially it was
a bit of a challenge to write a novel without plot points filled with danger!

Any other genres you’d
like to try? If yes, what and why?

I co-wrote a mystery, Orchestrated Murder, as
a fundraiser for Iowa Public Radio a number of years ago, and it was great fun
to dabble in another genre. Currently,
I’m doing some indie publishing of light romantic suspense ,but I still I enjoy writing inspirational
romance!

If
you could go back in time and do something differently at the start of your
career, what would it be? I would start much, much sooner!

What is the most
important piece of advice you’d like to give to unpublished authors?

Work
with a critique group and/or enter
writing contests, so you can receive feedback on your work. And follow your
dream—don’t give up!

USA Today Bestselling Author Roxanne Rustand is the author of thirty-five novels, She lives in the Midwest on an acreage with her husband, two rescue dogs, three horses and an assortment of friendly barn kitties.

I thought it was very interesting that you use to travel and put on horse clinics. I also loved reading The Black Stallion books. Thanks for letting us get to know you a bit better. Jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)comDeana

What a fun author interview, thanks for sharing Roxanne! I really enjoy the Love Inspired line of books myself for the faith-themes & romance God's way :-) I must have over 200 on my shelf (all genres)!